goat's rue
Tephrosia virginiana
USDA zones4 to 9
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles dry to moderate soil
Size12 to 24 inches tall9 to 18 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Pink , yellow
- Foliage color
- Gray/silver, green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Goat's rue (Tephrosia virginiana) is a perennial for borders, cottage gardens, and meadows. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and dry to average, sandy or loamy soil. Soft white hairs give the mounding plant a silvery look, and the pink and pale yellow flowers look like sweet peas. It sits low on the menu for deer. Bees and butterflies visit the blooms.
Pairs well with Indian grass, Evening primrose, and Obedient plant.
Native range
AL, AR, CT, DC, and 30 more places. See all 34
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, and WV; ON.